IF Dennis Pineda would have his way, he wants his ward Ian Sangalang to strut on court wearing Barangay Ginebra's red-and-white jersey as soon as possible.

With an eye set on a future career for Sangalang with the popular Kings in the PBA, his longtime manager has advised the San Sebastian star to forego the tryouts for the Smart Gilas 2.0 team bound for two tournaments overseas next month.

“Ngayon kasi ang magandang chance ni Ian para lumaro sa Ginebra,” said Pineda, the former mayor of Lubao, Pampanga and son of governor Lilia who has also guided the careers of other top players like Calvin Abueva and Arwind Santos.

Ginebra owns Air21's first-round pick next year which, given the way things are going this season, could prove valuable in the next draft which Sangalang and former Ateneo slotman Greg Slaughter are expected to head.